Sunday 31 July 2011

Visit Stonehenge Sunset Sunrise Times

Question: What are the Sunrise and Sunset times for Stonehenge as we want to visit in August.

Answer: The exact times have been calculated for the centre of Stonehenge for 2011 and can be found at the
link below. Our thanks to www.visit-stonehenge.com for supplying the data.

Visit Stonehenge: "Sunrise and Sunset Calendar for Stonehenge 2011
Latitude 51°10'43.99'N Longitude 1°49'34.24'W For the Centre of Stonehenge
Sunrise and Sunset Calendar for 51°10'43.99'N 1°49'34.24'W .Times need to be adjusted for BST

Saturday 30 July 2011

Zara Phillips wedding: Royals Arrive Video.

Zara Phillips wedding: Ceremony at Edinburgh church

The Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips has married England rugby player Mike Tindall at a ceremony in Edinburgh.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were among those at the wedding in Canongate Kirk on the Royal Mile.

Hundreds of well-wishers lined the streets for Scotland's first royal wedding in almost 20 years.

Prince Charles and Camilla, Prince William and Catherine, and Prince Harry were also attending the ceremony and reception at Holyroodhouse.

The Reverend Neil Gardner welcomed guests up the Royal Mile, including the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.

The bride's dress, an ivory silk and satin gown, was designed by Stewart Parvin, one of the Queen's favourite couturiers. This was accompanied by a veil, tiara and Jimmy Choo shoes.

The doors of the Canongate Kirk were closed to the press and public, but hundreds of well-wishers gathered in Edinburgh's Old Town to watch the arrival and departure of the Royal Family.

After the ceremony the couple emerged arm-in-arm, stood on the steps to the entrance to the 17 Century kirk and shared a kiss.

The newlyweds arrived back at the palace as the Royal Scots Association pipe band played.

The Coal Hole in Strand London - Home

Subterranea Britannica: Sites: camden_catacombs

Friday 29 July 2011

London Necropolis Railway Station

London Necropolis railway station refers to two stations in Waterloo, London, which served successively as the London terminus of the London Necropolis Railway. The London Necropolis Railway was opened in 1854 as a reaction to severe overcrowding in London's existing graveyards and cemeteries. It aimed to use the recently-developed technology of the railway to move as many burials as possible to the newly-built Brookwood Cemetery in Brookwood, Surrey. This location was within easy traveling distance of London, but distant enough that the dead could not pose any risk to public hygiene.

Although it had its own branch line into Brookwood Cemetery, most of the route of the London Necropolis Railway ran on the existing London and South Western Railway (LSWR). Consequently, a site was selected in Waterloo, near the LSWR's recently-opened London terminus at Waterloo Bridge station (now London Waterloo). The building was specifically designed for the use of mourners. It had many private waiting rooms, which could also be used to hold funeral services, and a hydraulic lift to raise coffins to platform level. Existing railway arches were used for the storage of bodies.

In 1899 the location of the terminus was blocking the expansion of Waterloo station. After much negotiation, the LSWR reached agreement with the London Necropolis Company, the owners of the cemetery and the railway: in return for the existing site, the LSWR re-equipped the London Necropolis Railway and supplied it with a new station on Westminster Bridge Road. This new building was designed to contrast with other funeral directors' premises by being as attractive as possible. In 1902 the railway moved into the new building, and the earlier station was demolished.

On 16 April 1941 the station was heavily damaged in an air raid. Much of the building was destroyed and the tracks to the station were rendered unusable. Although some funeral trains continued to run from nearby Waterloo station, the London terminus was never used again. Following the end of the war the London Necropolis Company decided that reopening the London Necropolis Railway was not financially worthwhile, and the surviving part of the station building was sold as office space. This remnant remains intact, and relatively unaltered since its opening.

Source/Credit Wikipedia

History of London, Highgate Cemetery Tours

Enter Highgate Cemetery

East Cemetery Tours: Due to a recent increase in demand there is a now a guided tour of the East Cemetery weekly on Saturdays at 2pm. Although the East Cemetery can be visited unaccompanied, visitors may prefer a tour to learn more about the residents and their histories. Tours are around one hour in length and are limited to 15 people. Tickets are sold at the East Cemetery gate on the day of the tour on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. The tour cost of £7 includes entrance to the East Cemetery. Visitors are asked to gather at 1.45pm for a prompt start at 2:00pm.

Information, Prices and Booking

West Cemetaery

Admission is by guided tour only.

Tours:

Weekdays: One tour a day leaves between 1.45 and 2pm from 1st March to 30th November. Please book by telephone 10am-5pm, Mondays to Fridays only. Please ensure you arrive by 1.45 at the latest. Arrivals after 1.45 may have their booking cancelled and their spaces reallocated. Booking is essential and we strongly reccommend you book at least 1 week in advance to try to ensure you get a space on the day your require it. Please note booking is NOT possible by email. Tours last around one hour.

Weekends: Tours are run at least hourly from 11am - 3pm british winter time and contintue until 4pm british summer time (no advance booking). Tours last around one hour.

Tickets (cash only): £7 per adult, £3 for children aged 8 to 16, £5 for students on production of a valid student card. There are no other concessions. We regret that children under eight years old (including babies) are not allowed on the tours. They are welcome to visit the East Cemetery.

Don't Blink Sally Sparrow

Wednesday 27 July 2011

Special Offer Tour, Champagne Region France

Now Only £194!

29-31 July. Normally £249 pp. Come with us to celebrate the heart of the Champagne region in France on this popular break!
Anderson Tours : Tour Details: "Come with us to celebrate the heart of the Champagne region in France on this popular break!

Based in Paris and Reims we visit the world famous Champagne House of Taittinger to explore the deep chalk caves and tunnels filled with millions of bottles of Champagne!

You will have plenty of time on this tour to enjoy the good food and wine that France has to offer!

Tour Includes:
Return coach travel
Return cross channel ferry
Two nights B&B hotel accommodation, all rooms ensuite. One night in Paris, one night in Reims.
Entrance to Taittinger Champagne House and caves including a glass of champagne.
Free time in the evenings in Paris (optional boat cruise & evening Cabaret show – see your Tour Manager) & Reims
Services of an Anderson Tours Tour Manager"

Featured Hotel The Mint Hotel Westminster

The Thames Room

The Club Room

The Millbank Lounge

More Information, Booking Prices and Availability

Do I need a Visa For France?

Do I need a Visa For France?

Question: I am from the United States of American and staying in London. I would like to take the Eurostar to France for a few days vacation. Do I need a Visa.

Answer: For US citizens staying under 30 days a Visa is not required.

Listed below are those nationals from countries that do not need Visa's if staying under 30 days. Albania is for those whom hold a biometric passport only.

Albania*	Chile	Macao	Saint Christopher and Nevis
Andorra	Costa Rica	Malaysia	San Marino
Antigua et Barbuda	Croatia	Mauritius	Serbia*
Argentina	EEA National	Mexico	Seychelles
Australia	El Salvador	Monaco	Singapour
Bahamas	Guatemala	Montenegro*	South Korea
Barbados	Honduras	New Zealand	Switzerland
Bermuda	Macedonia (Fyrom)*	Hong-Kong (blue passport only)	Taiwan(1)
Bosnia Herzegovina*	Israel	Nicaragua	United States of America
Brazil	Japan	Panama	Uruguay
Brunei	Liechstenstein	Paraguay	Vatican
Canada			Venezuela

Kids Go Free this August

National Trust Offer, Kids go Free!

Children on a wildlife hunt

Kids Go Free this August: "Save money this summer – Kids Go Free

To help you on your way to a great summer, we’re offering free entry* for kids from 1-26 August.

Hundreds of our special places are opening up their doors for the summer holidays so families can enjoy fun-packed adventures on their doorstep. So what are you waiting for? It’s time for a freebie on us.

All you have to do is download a voucher (using the link below), take it to a participating National Trust place and two children will receive free entry per paying adult.

Whether you want to go wild in the outdoors or discover a cool taste for history inside an ancient castle, make it a summer to remember with us.

Download your Kids Go Free voucher" Here

Tuesday 26 July 2011

London Hotels

London Hotels Featured Hotels in Bayswater

Monday 25 July 2011

London Underground Tube Diary - Going Underground's Blog

London Underground Tube Diary - Going Underground's Blog

This is one of our favourite blogs by Annie Mole

Sunday 24 July 2011

Royal Wedding Souvenirs

Thirty years ago, Britain groaned under the weight of Charles and Diana souvenirs. Now the flood of William and Kate mementoes is in full flow, from knitted dolls to Fairy Liquid and Twinings teabags special edition packs. The first royal wedding to benefit from the growing souvenir trade was Victoria’s marriage to Prince Albert in 1840, and each wedding since has provided new collectables to help the public mark the occasion. Hundreds of royal mementoes are on display through the Museum's chronological 'time tunnel' of social history.

See Museum founder Robert Opie talking about this exhibition

Saturday 23 July 2011

The History of Eros Statue at Piccadilly Circus

Eros Statute at Piccadilly Circus

Over the years, many people have stood in the middle of Piccadilly Circus in front of the Eros Statute and Fountain having their picture taken. Here are a few facts for the photo album…..
It's nearly always referred to as Eros but was in fact meant to be Anteros. In Greek mythology Anteros was the god of requited Love, love returned or counter love. In some cases, he is also known as to punish those who would scorn love, the advances of others in love and the avenger of unrequited love. Eros in Greek mythology was the primordial god of sexual love and beauty, and Anteros was given to his brother Eros who was lonely and was the child of Ares and Aphrodite.
Unveiled in 1893 it was the work of Alfred Gilbert RA RA and a memorial to the 7th Earl of Shaftesbury for his philanthropic works.
The fountain is made of Bronze, but Eros is made of Aluminium a use of the material in construction that was rare/new for its day.
Eros was originally placed in the centre of the junction with his bow pointing up Shaftesbury Ave but was moved to the south-western side after work was carried out on the square. He now aims his arrow down Regent Street.

Gallery

Images of Piccadilly Circus

Old Post card London Piccadilly Circus, Guess The Year?

Friday 22 July 2011

Visit Stonehenge

Harry Potter Lacock Images

Visit Stonehenge

The Tower Of London, Past constables

We Love Lucy! Hampton Court Curator, Is Shopping for Henry VIII?

Thursday 21 July 2011

Selfridges Events!

Just imagine rowing a boat atop the Selfridges roof with panoramic views of London, before floating past a crystal island to enjoy a delicious summer cocktail.

Sounds like something from a far-away day dream doesn’t it? But from 21 – 24 July, you can do just that, as Bompas & Parr transform 400 square metres of the roof at Selfridges London into a magical island and boating lake – the Truvia® Voyage of Discovery.

Renowned for their unbelievable culinary spectacles, the pair has teamed up with the Truvia® brand, to celebrate the years of discovery taken to bring Truvia® sweetener from leaf to table and its impending arrival to the UK. This incredible experience serves as a spectacular metaphor for the Truvia® brand’s own remarkable journey from leaf to table and also encompasses thousands of stevia plants, a gushing waterfall, the Truvia® life guard and a magical crystal island - all six storeys above London’s busiest shopping street.

Sam Bompas told us of his dream to create a “playground for Londoners”, remarking “It will be the best cocktail party in London, and where better to host it than on the roof of one of the city’s most iconic buildings?”

At the boat-up bar, visitors will find a mouth-watering menu created by the Experimental Cocktail Club, alongside coffees by Caravan and teas by the Rare Tea Company. Visitors will be given two drinks tokens on the house and Bompas & Parr will fortify boaters with savoury snacks as they set out across Selfridges’ flooded roof.

The Truvia® Voyage of Discovery runs from Thursday 21 – Sunday 24 July and is open from 12.00 – 20.00 on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and 12.00 – 17.00 on Sunday.

Where is the Centre of London?

Eleanor Cross at Charing Cross

Whether it is the distance from Brighton, Manchester or Glasgow, the actual point for measuring the distance to and from London is located at Charing Cross, Westminster.
Why Charing Cross? Even though it is quite central it is not because of its geographical location, the real reason goes back over 700 years to the reign of Edward I.
In the year 1290 King Edward was in Scotland on an important trip awaiting the arrival of his wife, Queen Eleanor. On her journey to meet him she was taken ill with a fever and died shortly after at a manor house near Lincoln.
The Queen's body was to be taken from Lincoln to Westminster Abbey for a state burial. The grief stricken King decided that twelve memorial crosses would be installed at each stopping point of her funeral procession
The twelve sites for memorial crosses were:
Lincoln, Grantham, Stamford, Geddington, Hardingstone, Stony Stratford, Woburn, Dunstable, St. Albans, Waltham, Cheapside (West Cheap), Charing Cross.
The original cross was south of Trafalgar Square where the statue of King Charles I now stands. A plaque can be found on the floor behind the statue stating that mileage distances on road signage are still measured from this point.
Only three of the original crosses remain at Geddington, Hardingstone and Waltham. The cross outside Charing Cross Station is a replica made in 1863 of the original that stood at the original site a few hundred metres away. Historians believe the original was not as ornate as the one seen today. The original memorials were large stone structures towering many feet high with carvings of the queen on each of the sides.